There seems to be concern in the ranks about the future of Super Rugby with dire predictions about next year’s set-up.

Publicly, lNew Zealand’s teams are resigned to toeing the party line and accepting that the addition of a team from Argentina, Japan and another in South Africa is good for the game.

The realism is that the current system has seen a seen a declining trend around attendance.

In 2006, South Africa posted an average Super Rugby crowd of 34,000, Australia 24,000 and New Zealand 22,000.

By 2012, those numbers had dropped across the board – South Africa were down to 28,000, Australia 20,000 and New Zealand 16,000. I would imagine that the numbers for 2014 would be lower again.

Week one of Super Rugby kicked off with a sea of empty seats. With the Black Caps playing in Christchurch the following day, the Crusaders were resigned to a poor turnout. They got one.

It was the same in Auckland, where the Blues weren’t able to host the Chiefs at Eden Park. They knew it wouldn’t be a great crowd at North Harbour, and they were right.

The problem is the core product !

TV has been allowed to dictate the playing schedules; jumping from 12 to 15 teams has diluted the quality of the overall playing pool; the format has suffered from not being a true round-robin; the rules remain unfathomable and inconsistently applied; stadiums, with the exception of the Forsyth Barr, don’t have cover; the food in stadiums is mostly crap and expensive and maybe most damaging has been that the biggest name players have been allowed to drift in, drift out and skip the bits they don’t fancy.

Add all that together and that explains the 30 per cent drop in average crowds since 2006.

The actual rugby is great. Unfortunately with TV controlling the money and the terms of scheduling we are only going to see a lot more empty seats.
On a better note , at Eden Park Bed and Breakfast we see good response from game patrons wanting luxury accommodation close to the stadium.

New Zealand is known as the playground for adventure. We have picked the top 11 things to do in New Zealand.1) Cape ReingaCape Reinga also known as Te Rerenga Wairua, is the northwestern most tip of the Aupouri Peninsula, at the northern end of the North Island of New Zealand. Cape Reinga, is known as the most spiritual significant place in Maori tradition and mythology. The cape where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean is known as the place Maori spirits descend into the underworld. Everywhere you turn at Cape Reinga you are surrounded by beauty, whether it’s stunning beaches or the Cape Reinga lighthouse. Things to do: There is a 90-mile beach, a public highway on route to Cape Reinga, where you can also go sand-boarding on the sand dunes, and Rarawa Beach, a gorgeous cove perfect for surfing. 2) Lake WanakaLake Wanaka is located in the Otago region of New Zealand, at an altitude of 300 metres. Covering an area of 192 km², it is New Zealand’s fourth largest lake, and estimated to be more than 300 m deep. Its name is Māori, a corruption of Oanaka. The Lake Wanaka region is a playground in the natural wonderland of mountains, glaciers, rivers and lakes – its a living breathing paradise. You get to adventure at your own pace, in your own time, in your own way. 3) White Water Rafting, RotoruaRotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand’s North Island. White Water Rafting on the Kaituna River is known as the “best, most amazing experien” on Trip Advisor. You must experience Kaituna for yourself. It is home to the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world – Tutea Falls. It consists of Warm water, outstanding scenery, heart pumping rapids and world class guides Make sure you make Rotorua Rafting your first stop activity in Rotorua. 4) Milford SoundMilford Sound or Piopiotahi in Maori is a fiord in the south west of New Zealand’s South Island. With around 550,000 to 1 million visitors per year this has been labeled as one of the best world tourist destinations to visit. New Zealand’s own, it has been called the eighth Wonder of the World. Things to do: Tramping, canoeing, and some other water sports are usually popular. You can also take small boat trips. A very small percentage of tourists stay more than a day, so there isn’t really any accommodation for long stays. You can also check out the underwater tourist observatory found in one of the bays of the sound provides viewing of black coral, usually only found in much deeper waters. 5) Abel Tasman National ParkAbel Tasman National Park is a New Zealand national park located between Golden Bay and Tasman Bay at the north end of the South Island. A coastal paradise that you can walk through or explore by cruise boat, sailing catamaran, water taxi or sea kayak. The Abel Tasman National Park mixes physical exertion with beach life. From Hiking, to Canoeing, followed by sun bathing, then swimming and breathtaking snorkeling, and the list goes on. Accommodation consists of luxurious lodges. The most popular type of sleeping, is the sleeping under the stars outside in Nature So you have two options , one is taking the Jumping off Nevis, New Zealand’s highest bungy from a cable car. Then you have the “The Ledge” overlooking Queenstown where you can bungy at night, or take a look at AJ Hackett Bungy for more details. 6) Tongariro Alpine Crossing The Tongariro Alpine Crossing in Tongariro National Park is a tramping track in New Zealand, and is among the most popular day hikes in New Zealand. You can have a one-day adventure, walking across active volcanoes, with spectacular and unique volcanic terrain. Experience the cold mountain spring, old lava flows, active volcanic craters ,thermal steam vents, amazing mesmerizing lakes and to top it off ; a native forest to explore. You can also get the best view of the mountains and lakes of the central North Island. 7) Whale Watching, Kaikoura This is where the Mountains meet the Sea….With a population of approximately 3,800 residents, Kaikoura is located on a rocky peninsula, surrounded by lush farmland beneath the mountains. Right off the peninsular, there is a rich habitat for marine mammals and seabirds making it an ideal place for experiencing it at first hand. You will be Whale Watching! Several different species of whale can be seen off Kaikoura . The Sperm Whales are the main species seen. 8) Skydiving, Lake Taupo Lake Taupo is a lake situated in the North Island of New Zealand and is the largest lake in New Zealand, and the second largest freshwater lake. Things to do :Skydiving is the main tourist attraction. This is why our tourists visit Lake Taupo. If you are not a fan of skydiving then you can easily join the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, which is a a cycling tour around the lake which can take anywhere between four and ten hours. There are Maori rock carvings at Mine Bay on Lake Taupō that are over 10 metres high and only accessible by boat. The cliff has become a popular tourist destination with hundreds of boats and yachts visiting the spot daily. It is a noted trout fishery with stocks of introduced brown trout and rainbow trout. 9) Franz Josef GlacierThe Franz Josef (Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere in Māori) is a glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The glacier area is one of the main tourist attractions of the West Coast, You may take Guided and unguided walks up to and onto the glacier. Glacier walks also require some specialized equipment, namely ice axes and crampons that latch onto a sturdy boot. 10) Bungy Jumping, Queenstown New Zealand is known at the the bungy capital of the world. Did you know that Bungy Jumping originated in New Zealand? Its true! The First Bungee Jump ever was at the Kawarau Bridge. And finally coming to #11, we want to end this article, with our personal introduction to our award winning Luxury Bed and Breakfast Hotel in Central Auckland. We offer a guarantee that you will have a pleasant and rewarding stay with us. We think you should choose Eden Park and Breakfast as your best choice of accommodation in Auckland. 11) Best Accommodation? Eden Park Bed and Breakfast In Auckland This Bed and Breakfast offers Four luxuriously appointed rooms with individual sophistication and character. They include The Cream Room, The Blue Room and The Yellow room with ensuite bathrooms while The Green Room comes with its own private bathroom. Our complimentary breakfast is set with china, silver and Linen. We offer a three course breakfast including a fruit bowl, with a continental selection and a hot cooked option. There is a well-appointed guest lounge, and our B&B includes a WiFi Hotspot for your free Internet. There is an excellent selection of Restaurants and Cafes near by in Dominion Road, Mt. Eden and Kingsland. The Local buses and trains are within a close walking distance for transport to the city. When you visit New Zealand and land at Auckland Airport, catch the Airporter bus. Take the Dominion Road Shuttle and get off at the intersection of Bellwood Ave/ Dominion Road, Eden Valley Shops.We are 200meters down Bellwood Avenue on the LHS. This is the cheapest option for transport to Eden Park Bed and Breakfast from the Airport. Right Next Door: Eden Park Venue Eden Park Bed and Breakfast Is located right next door to Eden Park. This is New Zealand’s largest Rugby Stadium and has been selected as a venue for the 2015 Cricket World Cup Games that will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. We hope you enjoyed our top 11 things to do in New Zealand. We hope it was helpful and valuable. Please do leave a comment below. Thank you!

The NRL Auckland Nines is a rugby league competition held this weekend. This competition started just last year ; more specifically on the 15th and 16th February 2014. Last years NRL9’s Event was the first of the five which is going to be held at Eden Park.This is New Zealand’s Biggest Rugby Stadium.

In this Tournament 16 NRL Clubs compete. Each squad has at least 12 of their top players from their squad and one marquee player. The winner of the tournaments receive a hefty amount as a prize. Usually around NZD$530,000.

In this years 2015 Dick Smith’s NRL Auckland Nines, it is again held at Eden Park. Which is a stone throw away from our beloved Eden Park Bed and Breakfast. And this year ,as last year, all sixteen NRL Clubs will compete along with the KIWI FERNS and the Jillaroos, who competed in a three game series. The Final Pool names for this year are: Rangitoto, Waiheke, Piha, and Hunua .
These were chosen and voted by by the general public.

Rules for NRL Auckland Nines

The NRL Auckland Nines have a few rule variations which ensure the games are a lot faster and smoother with less delays and stoppages.

The Difference between the Regular NRL Games are the following:

There are Nine players a side with six unlimited interchange players.

Scrums will only form after a double knock on, with attacking teams to elect which side to feed the ball.

No video referee, with one on-field referee.

There is a five minute golden try period in qualifying rounds with a draw to be deemed if there is no result, while unlimited golden try for the finals.

A tap restart will take place after a 40/20.

Five points for a try scored in the bonus zone under the posts, with two point drop kick conversion attempts.

The scoring team will have a dropkick off to restart play.

There Are five minute sin bins.

There are five tackles in a set

If you decide to attend the NRL Auckland Nines, then please head out to our event created online to assist you to finding tickets for the competition.

Usually our neighborhood in Mt. Eden get’s a lot of fans during this time of year. These fans usually dress up in costumes , get in groups and walk the streets of Mt. Eden heading to and from Eden Park Stadium. It is Fun to be part of. Great fun all around for Fans of this Rugby League Sporting Event.

Auckland is getting prepared for cricket’s most prestigious World Tournament, which is returning to New Zealand and Australia since last here in 1992. Both countries are joint hosting14 nations that are competing to be the best Cricket team in the world.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 begins 14 February and ends 29 March 2015.

Brief History of ICC Cricket World Cup

The ICC Cricket World Cup is the flagship event of the International cricket world, and like the Football world cup, it takes place every four years.

The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup is the 11th tournament and will be hosted by New Zealand and Australia. It has been 23 years since their previous hosting back in 1992.

The ICC Cricket 2015 World Cup is considered the largest international sports tournament. It consists of 14 teams competing from around the world.

Facts about ICC Cricket World Cup

• ICC World Cup One of the world’s largest international sports tournaments

The first tournament took place in England in 1975, which was won by the West Indies. Four years ago, The ICC Cricket World Cup was held in India hosted along with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. India Won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Tournament.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Auckland

This Years ICC Cricket World Cup will also be in various venues around New Zealand. Auckland has the Biggest events placed in our neighboring venue “Eden Park”.

Don’t forget to book your rooms at your Favorite B&B Hotel ,Eden Park Bed and Breakfast! Auckland ; just a stones throw away from the Eden Park Venue. www.bedandbreakfastnz.com Make Sure you Like and Follow us for more info about ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

News** Update This Saturday 17/1/15 we have a ODI cricket test with New Zealand vs Sri Lanka at Eden Park.

Summer Holidays in New Zealand are basically Christmas Holidays but with a twist. You get to celebrate Christmas like it’s actually summer.

The New Zealand Summer holidays begin around the 20th of December and last up to 31st of January. You can expect to see a lot of trailers loading up on Boxing day heading for the Coastal Areas.

Summer Holidays in New Zealand is the ultimate Summer Vacation. So much to do and using the massive stretch of coastline areas which connect the North and South Islands feels like there is so many things you can do.

Surfing New Zealand

If you are looking for a place to Surf, then head out to the popular Surf Highway brings together the best surfers from around the world. Just ask how you can get to Taranaki.

So surfing is your passion, you’ll love New Zealand. You’re always next to the sea.

Life Style Holidays

Life style in New Zealand is one of a kind. You can do a variety of things to do. Some examples are Fishing, Sailing, Various Water Activities, Bungee jumping, or Volcano Touring and Hiking. Don’t forget to visit Mount Eden (AKL) Amazing view on top of Mt. Eden. If you head down below you’ll find Eden Park, World’s Biggest Rugby Stadium.

If you are into Music and Festivals, you will appreciate Whangamata. This is a great place to stroll and perfect for Summer Festivals during the Whanga Week, and the Summer Festival happening in New Zealand during this time.

BBQ in NZ

Summer holidays in New Zealand include bbq and Ice creams. It is guaranteed to find Kiwi Families enjoying their picnic outing, with their bbq grills, on a summer’s night on a beach.

Just imagine that for a second….

If you want a great tan, then head out to Hawkes Bay and Nelson to enjoy your summer holidays in New Zealand like you should. Camp for the night there if you like, you won’t be able to compare this to anywhere else you have ever been in this world. Promise.

Where to Stay in Auckland during your Summer Holidays in Auckland?

Eden Park Bed and Breakfast is located in Auckland, next to Eden Park’s World’s Largest Rubgy Stadium (Eden Park Stadium on Reimers Ave) We offer luxury accommodation at an affordable price. Make sure you contact us prior so we can guarantee your booking. Christmas Holidays are pretty busy here in Auckland. Looking forward to your stay.

Are you looking for affordable flights? New Zealand’s national flight carrier is Air New Zealand and this is the primary method of transport via air all through New Zealand. New Zealand’s next significant flight carrier is Qantas the Australian national flight carrier.

Trans-Tasman Market

There are other primary players in the aggressive trans-Tasman flights market (meaning the flight traffic between New Zealand and Australia that crosses the Tasman Sea) they incorporate Jetstar, Virgin Pacific, Freedom and Emirates.

The Flight Carriers

Virgin, Jetstar and Freedom are the big boys in the flights market.. Jetstar and Freedom are considered the cheap flights to and from and between New Zealand and Australia. Jetstar is actually owned by Qantas and Freedom is owned by Air New Zealand.

Small Plane Flight Tours

New Zealand additionally has Small Planes for specific sightseeing views of the New Zealand Skies. Get a glimpse from sky high, and take in the beautiful New Zealand breathtaking sceneries.

Beware of Undeclared Items

New Zealand’s Safety standards at airports and flights, are amongst the best in the world. When you arrive to New Zealand make sure you do not bring any undeclared food or items or anything that could be harmful to New Zealand’s environment. You will receive a fine if you are caught !

Enjoy

Have a fabulous time flying the New Zealand skies. You will appreciate the amicability of New Zealand air transport staff and the administration that you will get.

Bed and Breakfast Stop

When you do Arrive in New Zealand, take the Airporter Bus . It will take you straight to our Bed and Breakfast Hotel, at Eden Park. This is the cheapest method of transport from Auckland Airport. Take the Dominion Road Bus and this will drop you at the top of Bellwood Avenue,Mt Eden.We are 2 blocks down on the left hand side. The cost from Airport to Eden Park Bed and Breakfast is $16.00 (single) or $32.00 (double) For more information on how to book please visit www.bedandbreakfastnz.com/book-now/

7 Oct

New Zealand is known for its amazing mountain views, amazing wildlife, amazing beaches making this Maori Culture Destination, a dream come true for many adventure travelers.

However, let us warn you, this doesn’t come cheap. So we decided we wanted to share with you 10 valuable tips on Saving on your next New Zealand Holiday trip…

Keep in mind, that by the time you step foot on New Zealand soil, up till the point you leave, you will be spending. So instead of you spending cluelessly, we are here to help you save a few coins here and there.

Here are our 7 Valuable tips in Saving on your New Zealand Trip

1) Pre Booking!

New Zealand’s seasons are pretty weird. What I mean by weird, I mean, if you are looking for planning a summer vacation, then best choice is to book your ticket for December. We have summer up to February. Great time to check out our beautiful beaches. No we are serious! If you are looking for a quiet time in New Zealand, then you should either plan your trip for Spring or Fall. Tourism is down during that time.

For the Skiing fans out there, you should plan your trip to Queenstown.

2) Cut New Zealand In Half.

New Zealand is pretty big. Don’t let the “island” look trick you. This island is huge! So if you either coming for more than two weeks, you should then take your time planning for both the North Island and South Island. It would be a shame if you didn’t enjoy each to the fullest. If you are on a budget, then this is the best way to tour New Zealand. Concentrate at one are at a time. This will save you money. We promise!

3) Find the Best Deals

We suggest you look around for great deals. Follow us on Facebook, or any of our social media profiles so you can find out on great deals on air fair tickets. Air fair is pretty expensive due to the New Zealand’s remote location.

Check out Trip Advisor’s main page to get info on great air fair deals. While you are at it, you can read our review on Trip Advisor. We were voted Travelers Choice Awards, with great reviews. If you are planning your trip, keep us informed so we can pick you up ourselves.

4) Paper or Plastic?

We suggest bringing your Visa, Mastercard or whatever Plastic you like. New Zealand accepts all plastic, everywhere. Restaurants, hotels, and shops all take plastic.

5) Tipping . Its ok if you don’t tip. Its not customary in New Zealand, so save your money!

6) Choosing the Right Touring Guide.

You could easily spend on hundreds of dollars, on tours, excursions and entrance fees, particularly if your New Zealand bucket list includes pricey once-in-a-lifetime activities like bungy jumping or helicopter flight-seeing.

If your budget hurts just thinking about it, we advise you to ask us. We are experts in this category since we have our own touring transportation service you can use as well. (www.Supercare4u.com) for more info.

7) Drink from the tap. No need to waste money on bottled water. Our water in New Zealand is drinkable.

We hope you enjoyed our article on our 7 tips on how you can save on your next New Zealand trip!

Please leave a comment below, and do like us on Facebook below, and keep updated with new articles such as these.

At Eden Park Bed and Breakfast we are involved in a campaign of building and renovation. We are installing a Bay Window onto the front room and hanging new wallpaper in various rooms. The window was saved from a building that was destroyed in the Christchurch earthquake. It’s our little bit of saving a piece of Christchurch history….

It’s game day at Eden Park Saturday 23rd, August 2014
The World Champions ; the All Blacks , play Australia in the second Rugby Test for the Bledisloe Cup.
At Eden Park Bed and Breakfast we have the FULL house sign up. The energy levels around the neighbourhood are high. The Buzz surrounding the game is fun to watch . Kick off is 1935 tonight.

At Eden Park Bed and Breakfast we are involved in the accommodation industry in Auckland. Latest Tourism reports show total visitor spending in New Zealand grew by 11 per cent to $7.1 billion in the past year, driven by strong growth from the United States, Germany and China.

Financial figures for the year ending in June showed visitors increased their spending by $800 million.These figures are based on results from approximately 8900 visitors departing New Zealand airports.

The results showed there was a significant increase in total spending by visitors from the United States, up an estimated 53 per cent from the previous year to $773m, and Germany, up 63 per cent to $375m. Spending by visitors from China rose 26 per cent to $912m, as visitors moved from lower value short shopping trips to longer stays.

But how to tap the Chinese Market is still a challenge. At Eden Park Bed and Breakfast , we accommodate a percentage from that FIT market , but tapping into the Chinese Tour Market is still difficult ….or impossible !

Spending by Australians fell 4 per cent to $2.11b.
And business spending tumbled by 22 per cent from $585m to $459m.

Tourism is still strong tho. Although we found it to be quiet for accommodation in the month of July , August shows improvement . Next week we have the All Blacks playing Australia at Eden Park. Full House at Eden Park Bed and Breakfast.
Go Black !